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Liberal Dems In UK Vote
Yes For TS Certificates

Contributed by Elizabeth Parker and Rachelle Austin
via PA News
September 24, 1998

Britain's #3 party, the Liberal Democrats, have become the first party in the nation to call for new birth certificates following sex reassignment surgery. Britain is the only European Union nation now refusing to issue revised birth certificates,

A transsexual made an emotional plea at the Liberal Democrat conference for new legal rights to help end discrimination. Anna Boyer, from West Yorkshire, won an ovation after speaking of the problems encountered by transsexuals who cannot have their gender changed on their birth certificates. Ms Boyer, who made the medical transition from being male to female at the end of last year, gained conference backing for a call to bring in new legislation permitting the certificates to be changed. In her speech, she asked party activists to imagine a country where the birth certificate did not correspond with the gender of its owner. Insurance companies, employers and pension providers all used the certificate as proof of identity, age and gender - despite any physical evidence to the contrary. "Imagine a country where that contradiction can cost you a job, a mortgage on your house, higher purchase credit or a decent pension in retirement," she said. "I don't have to imagine that country. I live in it here and now." Ms Boyer, who works for the Association of Liberal Democrat Councillors and is in her mid-30s, said that if other records like health certificates could be changed, why could the Government not finish the job and amend birth certificates as well.

"If this Government believes its own manifesto it will end the unjustifiable discrimination which exists and allow birth certificates to be changed." Urging party supporters to help end the "iniquities" of the present situation, she said: "This would be a significant step forward for the civil rights of transsexual people."

She declared: "Today, with your help, we will be the first political party in this country to establish a clear, unequivocal policy to grant transsexual people their full civil rights." Jackie Ballard, MP for Taunton, backing the move, said it was not a "life choice" to be a transsexual but seemed to stem from hormonal imbalance in the developing foetus. Transsexuals should be granted the same civil rights as other people for their changed status. The amendment, urging that the civil rights of transsexual people are "fully protected" in UK law and calling for a new law to permit changed birth certificates, was carried overwhelmingly on a show of hands.

After the vote, Ms Boyer said she was "pleased and delighted" by the result.

Queer Theories Conference Announced

Contributed by Reno Dana
September 22, 1998

The Queer Theories conference is to be held on October 10 - 11 at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). This is the first conference of its kind in Nevada; it is truly a pioneering venture, which is highlighted by the support and presence of the State of Nevada Attorney General, Frankie Sue Del Papa, UNR's President, along with nationally recognized speakers and researchers on Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender issues.

The conference is open to the public and 100% free--there are not any admission or registration fees.

To register for the conference, or for more information, please contact kendall@unr.edu or visit the following web site:
http://www.unr.edu/gsa/Qtheories

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